The Science Behind Disc Pain: Why Inflammation Matters and How Chiropractic Supports Recovery
If you're experiencing radiating leg pain, numbness, or tingling from a herniated disc, grasping what's happening in your body can be quite helpful. New research reveals that inflammation plays a pivotal role in disc herniation pain—and the good news is that your body has some key healing mechanisms that Fort Wayne chiropractic care at Aaron Chiropractic Clinic can support.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR PAIN
When a disc herniates, it is not just mechanical pressure causing your symptoms. Your immune system kicks into gear by sending specialized cells called macrophages to the affected area. These cells are part of your body's inflammatory response, and research shows they significantly influence your pain levels and recovery trajectory.
A 2025 study published in Brain & Spine examined how various kinds of macrophages impact clinical outcomes in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. The researchers found that macrophage activity, along with changes visible on MRI scans called Modic changes, has a direct connection to patients' symptom severity at the outset. This inflammation is your body's attempt to heal, but it can cause significant discomfort in the process. (1)
YOUR PATH TO RECOVERY
The hopeful news? Most people with disc herniation get better over time. A study published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research tracked patients over time and discovered that several factors lead to success—particularly getting treatment early and receiving the right conservative care. (2)
HOW Fort Wayne CHIROPRACTIC CARE SUPPORTS YOUR HEALING
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach that works with your body's natural healing processes. Through gentle spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and targeted exercises, chiropractors can help:
- Decrease mechanical stress on irritated nerve roots
- Improve spinal biomechanics to facilitate healing
- Lower localized inflammation through improved movement
- Reinforce your body's natural recovery timeline
Every patient's journey is unique, but with proper care and knowledge of the inflammatory process involved, many individuals get real relief from their herniated disc pain through chiropractic treatment.
CONTACT Aaron Chiropractic Clinic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Brandon Skiles on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates relieving, gentle treatment of a disc herniation with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management .
